IVAR INGIMARSSON hopes the memories of Reading’s historic first-ever Premier League victory over Middlesbrough can inspire his team-mates to repeat the feat tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Royals upset the odds on the opening day of last season as they came storming back from two goals behind to beat Boro 3-2 at Madejski Stadium.

But Ingimarsson believes a win over Gareth Southgate’s men at the Riverside will surpass that momentous occasion as Reading are battling to beat the drop after losing eight successive league matches.

“I hope that victory will inspire us,” declared the former Iceland international. “I was thinking about that game yesterday and the feeling we had after winning.

“Leading up to the match there was a lot of doubt surrounding us because everyone thought we would lose and not do well in the league.

“But we went out there and showed people what we were about. Now we’re in a similar position because I know people all over the country have written us off, having lost eight in a row.

“They are saying we’re gone, finished, so it’s up to us to prove them wrong.”

Reading, who are third from bottom, remain the only club in the Premier League without a point this year.

But they are playing against a Boro side, who are also struggling to make an impression in the Premiership this season.

Despite a turnaround in form in recent weeks, they looked far from convincing in their FA Cup fifth-round replay at home to Sheffield United on Wednesday night, only sneaking through courtesy of an own goal in extra time.

Ingimarsson added: “Tomorrow is a massive, massive game. There’s no hiding from that. Middlesbrough are a team around us so on paper we have more of a chance.

“But the games are running out and if we continue to lose games there will come a time when it will become too late.

“Tomorrow we just can’t afford to be afraid of losing.”

Royals boss Steve Coppell finally lost patience with his side on Sunday after the 2-1 defeat at home to Villa and vowed to axe some of his under-performing stars.

However, I understand he is unlikely to make more than two or three changes to the side that went down to Martin O’Neill’s high-fliers.

Ingimarsson, though, is almost certain to return to Royals’ starting line-up.

He admitted: “I’m never happy when I’m not playing, but no-one is when they are out of the team.

“We haven’t been playing to our standard so no-one can complain if they do not get picked.

“By all reports (Kalifa) Cisse and (Ibrahima) Sonko did well at Everton so the manager was entitled to give them another shot.

“I definitely want to play tomorrow. I want the chance to help us get out of this trouble and show I’m worth a place.”

Glen Little (Achilles), Brynjar Gunnarsson (groin) and Michael Duberry (knee) have all resumed training but will not feature tomorrow.

Andre Bikey, Shane Long and Liam Rosenior are also pushing for recalls.